Ohma, Ohma, where for art thou Ohma? Melbourne, why have you forsaken me? I went to a Board Meeting tonight and my head exploded (some will say that's a good thing).

It's so nice to be, how do you say it, prescient. Remember when I said that the new "literacy program" which entailed splitting classrooms into groups that learn at their own speed would require more space? Well, Hadley needs more space. They have to make the students "literate."

It seems we are going to get 6 new portable classrooms at Hadley, even though the population has not increased. New programs, you see. $500,000 worth of portables. Here's one of the reasons: The teachers have to move around to different locations to handle the students. It's dreadfully inconvenient.

Don't you find it to be ever thus: When you bring in a consultant to "vision"(at a cost to the taxpayers) it Christmas. We give the children all the toys they want if someone with "vision" says they are educational.

What I objected to most tonight was hearing Madame Board President saying that one reason they need the "6 pack" as she termed it, was because it was inconsistent for the children to learn at desks and then learn at tables. Oh, the indignity. Oh, the shame. How will the babies ever recover from such......inconsistency?

Let's now discuss the idea of turning one of the best band and orchestra programs in the State over to curriculum. Imagine a "travel" music program. That's what you have in Glen Ellyn. This is an extracurricular activity. The proposal is to make orchestra and band "electives", and make the kids choose music or language or exploratory. Forget that it works perfectly as it is. Forget that 80% of the musicians are in foreign language. Choose! We have a "vision!" Let's change the school day by 30 minutes (early to start, early to finish) to accommodate the athletes in the afternoon, so they can compete more conveniently. Then we add teachers and administrators for this boondoggle, because now your extracurricular program is a class. An unnecessary class.

Let the musical part of Hadley start their day at 6:50 a.m. So, for most of the year, the musicians at Hadley can arrive at school as much in the dark as their Superintendent seems to be.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ronkas,

A "six pack" -- please tell me that you are joking? Funny thing, last year when the board voted to put the referendum question on the April ballot, she used the reference "tin box on wheels." I guess it just depends on what we're supposed to be buying into.

The additional portables comes as no shock. I sat through the presentation by the space utilization consultants, who by the way, don't usually use specific numbers as building capacity instead they use elements that are changing (so says the district when asked to provide a building capacity figure). Hadley had a good part of that presentation. Currently, the enrollment at Hadley is hovering around 1,163 with around 100 kids in the portable. When the schools were added onto after the 1997 ref, Hadley was said to have a capacity of 1,200. If the building currently houses 1,063 kids and we need to add a "six pack" what does that say about the building? I guess the 1997 building referendum forgot to factor in the issue of desks versus tables.

I just love how much time and money (consultants) is being spent on Hadley. Last year, you would have thought that it was Utopia -- after all, the community was being asked to send its 5th graders there. It will be interesting to see how the ref gets repackaged next year when four board seats are up for election. Just think the community could have four new members to add to the two elected last year -- now that would be a "six pack" worth celebrating!

Absolutely disgusting, tho sad to say, not entirely surprising.

I have expressed my thoughts on D41's space issues ad nauseum. Impressive how they keep coming up with new ways to make variations on the same bad decisions. I am glad my kids are done with that system.

As far as messing with the music programs. All of my kids were very involved in music at Hadley and in West. I have long been of the opinion that the music programs were - by far - the most exceptional aspect of D41. I have told many people that if their kids are not participating in the music programs, they are missing out on the best D41 has to offer. I guess I know nothing about school operations to be so silly as to think "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" might apply to this situation.

What a sorry situation! How on earth has this district devolved such that it so consistently comes down on the wrong side of so many decisions? One great satisfaction of moving from Glen Ellyn in a year or two will be that I will no longer be contributing thousands of dollars a year to such an inept organization.

Is this a done deal?
Was every board member in favor of these changes?

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:
One great satisfaction of moving from Glen Ellyn in a year or two will be that I will no longer be contributing thousands of dollars a year to such an inept organization.

And with your posts of the last several months falling 100% on the side of negative, why don't you just go now? You seem so miserable here. Honestly, I'm worried about you.

More portables - District 41 has some much slush money that they are just looking for places to spend it. Don't believe it, ask some of the more "in-tune" board members.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
And with your posts of the last several months falling 100% on the side of negative, why don't you just go now? You seem so miserable here. Honestly, I'm worried about you.

One more year to get one more kid out of West. But if you want to make me a good enough offer on my house, I'll gladly sell it to you and rent for the next year. Or isn't there precedent that says you don't need to live in-district to attend our schools?

Actually, it is quite refreshing and freeing to realize I have a limited time to put up with the incompetence that seems so rife throughout this town's governing bodies. Also an interesting perspective around the house, looking at things in terms of how to make the house show its best in a year. Funny how you get around to fixing up all the little things for the prospective new owners, that you had no problem living with for years.

If you were honestly worried about me, you'd take me out to golf at some fancy country club to which you belong...

Don't worry about me, pal. Things are going super duper fantastic on all fronts at casa Dinsdale. Just ready to close the GE chapter. That's all. Plenty of super chapters yet to be written.

And heck, my posts aren't all negative. Just last week I encouraged everyone to go to a concert at West. Who initiated the "Kudos" thread immediately below this one? And even in this thread I thought I was pretty complimentary about the D41 music programs - at least in the manner my kids were able to participate in them.

Or are you talking about my antipathy for mutant designer dogs?

quote:

Originally posted by Buggy24:
Is this a done deal?
Was every board member in favor of these changes?

From the posted Board material, it appears that action on the portable is set for its May 19 meeting. You can read the recommendation here on pages 3 and 4. One time cost of $525,000 and annual renewal of $54,950.

hey dinsdale...there's that antipathy word again (which obama used in san francisco) at least he's elevating our vocabulary!

quote:

Originally posted by ohma:

quote:

Originally posted by Buggy24:
Is this a done deal?
Was every board member in favor of these changes?

From the posted Board material, it appears that action on the portable is set for its May 19 meeting. You can read the recommendation here on pages 3 and 4. One time cost of $525,000 and annual renewal of $54,950.

Madame President said that the Brainspace study indicated we were 10 classrooms short. True? And did the Supersize Hadley add 10 classrooms? When will the other 4 portables be going in?

Does anyone know if a space utilization study for schools ever said that everything was OK, don't do anything?

The Brain Space report is posted on the web site, without the maps of the schools. Our Communications Director's summary is found here in the Board Highlights. It must be nice to be in the position of saying all buildings in D41 are over capacity, and yet maintain the position of not being able to "quantify" building capacities. Kind of guarantees full employment for consultants wouldn't you say?

"Where for art thou?" you ask, Ron? Taking a break from this nonsense. But the thing about D41, is it's sort of like a bad soap opera, you can pick it up anytime and predict the outcome.

quote:

Originally posted by Buggy24:
Is this a done deal?
Was every board member in favor of these changes?

No, it is not a done deal. These are some of the recommendations by the Hadley New Horizon group. The original objective was to revamp the exploratory program and some how it grew.
One of the main goals is to eliminate all pull outs. Thus, the restructuring of band and orchestra.

Don't you just love that name Hadley New Horizons?

Spoke to my adolescent this evening. She says the teachers have final say on whether or not you can get pulled out for band/string orchestra. Thus, there is no pull out unless the teacher agrees.

Unless they stop fiddling around with the music program, it will be diluted to a shadow of its current excellence. You have concerned parents who contribute a lot to MEF and pay for private instruction, children who are motivated, and instructors who demand and get excellence.

We finally have something that should be the model for other middle schools in the State of Illinois and the curriculum police seek to emulate lesser performers.

Also, a little shout down to the Super for her recommendation that NO funding go to the successful Destination ImagiNation program. Another excellent program that gets no support because "there is no protocol or procedure in place for funding". One board member strongly disagreed, while another waffled about, talking about how the super's position was "understandable".

quote:

Originally posted by Buggy24:
Was every board member in favor of these changes?

From the March 2005 meeting minutes, it can not be said that every board member was in favor of the last round of portables.

http://www.d41.dupage.k12.il.us/minutes/3-21-05_regular.pdf

"C. Finance, Facilities and Operations

1. Portable Classroom Bid ($ Attachment 13)

Based on the successful completion of the on-site inspection of the “like new” portable classroom units proposed for Churchill and Franklin schools on Friday, March 18, 2005, and in and consultation with FGM Architects, the Administration recommended that the Board of Education:

a. Approve a 5-year lease for the portable classroom units (two new and two “like new” units at an annual cost of $254,364). Details of this proposal are outlined in the in the Blended Option attached.

b. Authorize the Administration to execute the lease agreements with Innovative Modular Solutions, pending legal review and comment.

Discussion ensued regarding the advantages of leasing “new” and “like new” portable classroom units vs. purchasing used units. Dr. Barshinger explained that this is a departure from past practice, but the cost differential between “like new” and used is not substantial. Also, the used two-rooms that are available are substantially older-approximately 1997 models--and the age in this instance could have a detrimental impact. The proposed lease agreement includes subcontracting the whole project except for furniture and will not require internal resources to manage the move and refurbishing of used units. A further advantage of leasing is freeing the District from the responsibility of disposing the units when they are no longer which involves associated costs such as marketing, dismantling and storing the units.
President Vivoda recommended that the lease agreement include both a 2-year kick-out clause in the event the portables are no longer needed, and also an extension clause if the event that the portables are needed longer than expected.

Board members Snodell and Ruckstaetter requested additional information on cost differential and disposal and cash flow assumptions between buying vs. leasing.

Dr. Barshinger reported that details have been worked out with the Village regarding the placement of the portables units except for Lincoln School. The Lincoln site is now considered a flood plain, but wasn’t at the time of the first portable placement. The two portables will be placed at the West End of Lincoln School. There will also be some tree removal, but it is not because of the portable placement.

Mr. DiFabio moved and Mrs. Hoffman seconded to approve the Administration’s recommendation for a 5-year lease as presented and authorize the Administration to execute lease agreements with Innovative Modular Solutions, pending legal review and comment. On a roll call vote answering Aye: DiFabio, Hoffman, McElvain, Snodell and Vivoda. Answering Nay: Marcheschi, Ruckstaetter. Motion carried.

Gotta love how this report they bought is now being touted as gospel.

Think there'd be any market for a firm that advised school districts how to do the best job with what they have, instead of bigger and better things they can spend money on?

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:
Gotta love how this report they bought is now being touted as gospel.

Think there'd be any market for a firm that advised school districts how to do the best job with what they have, instead of bigger and better things they can spend money on?

Especially considering that curriculum and possible changes to existing space usage were never tasked in the report. There are some changes to existing space recommended to alleviate some minor issues at some of the schools, but there was never a portion of the process tasked at finding a solution utilizing existing infrastructure.

I refer back to Ohma's assertion that enrollment itself is not driving the issue at Hadley, rather program and curriculum growth. Should we not be stewards of our existing space before we expand on programs and offerings.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Herbold:
[ Should we not be stewards of our existing space before we expand on programs and offerings.

Scrooge.

ronkas, or any other posts- I was wondering if you might know where I could find more information concerning the Hadley Music Program and the changes they plan. New Horizons was useless. I feel I need to understand both sides of the story, but I have to tell you, at this point, this makes no sense at all! Is anybody getting the word out as what a wonderful program we have now? And not to mess with it! I would appreciate any suggestions, thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by bt:
ronkas, or any other posts- I was wondering if you might know where I could find more information concerning the Hadley Music Program and the changes they plan.

I always obtained the best information by speaking directly to the director of the ensemble my kids played in. I would recommend that as your best source.

There also was a very active parents' music organization. You might wish to speak with some of the officers of that.

Dinsdale, Thank you for getting back to me, I have already taken your advice and hopefully this will get me some of the answers I'm looking for. In the meantime, one of my concerns is that without a large number of involved parents, something like this would just slide through. That, in my opinion, would be a shame.

quote:

Originally posted by bt:
In the meantime, one of my concerns is that without a large number of involved parents, something like this would just slide through. That, in my opinion, would be a shame.

IME, it was essentially impossible to affect "curricula" type decisions in the elem/middle schools. The folk who make these decisions think they are way wiser about such things than mere parents.

IIRC the walls we ran up against mostly concerned the "whole language" debacle 5-10 years back. Perhaps the most ludicrous was when it became apparent that they had no intention of teaching the kids either penmanship OR keyboarding! At least that was easier to provide at home than band or orchestra would be.